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An Aims professional pilot student engaged in flight practice in an airplane

Next Steps

This program has a multi-step application process.

How to Apply

Do you have questions?

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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Windsor Campus

Credits

77

Tuition*

Est. Lab/ Course Fees
$1,525
Other Fees
$66,355
In-District
$9,274
In-State
$14,930
WUE
$21,935.00
Out-of-State
$44,443

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

Related Links

Professional Pilot

Related Resources

Professional Pilot

Professional PilotRequirements

Begin your journey as a pilot with this pilot associate degree that builds your skills and confidence in concrete steps. Each semester you can earn an aviation certificate and take the FAA certification exam for piloting larger and more complicated aircraft. 

You’ll begin with private pilot ground and flight training that allows you to fly with friends and family then move on to instrument rating, which teaches you to fly in more difficult weather conditions. The last two semesters you cover commercial ground and flight training on small and multi-engine aircraft. Your core and elective classes help build your communication and professional skills that prepare you to launch your career.

How to get started

Step 1 – Apply

  • Apply to Aims Community College 
  • Select Pre Aviation AAS as your intended major. 
  • Apply for Financial Aid if applicable. 

Step 2 – Are you a VA or Transfer Student

  • If you are a VA Student, submit your DD214 and Certificate of Eligibility to the Financial Aid Office.
  • If you are a transfer student, please have your previous institution send an official transcript to Aims. Learn more on the Transfer Information webpage.
  • If you are not a VA or Transfer Student, go to step 3.

Step 3 - COMPASS Test

  • Complete the COMPASS (Computerized Pilot Aptitude Screening System) test. The COMPASS test assesses candidates for flight training by evaluating their abilities in select subjects. The COMPASS test can be taken on your iPad in any location. Pay for your COMPASS test.

Step 4 – Aviation Medical Certificate and Proof of US Citizenship

  • Students applying to the Air Traffic Control (ATC), Professional Pilot, or General Aviation Pilot degree must hold a valid FAA First or Second Class Medical Certificate at the time of application.
  • You must schedule an exam with an FAA-approved Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) and pay for this exam. You can find a Colorado Aviation Medical Examiners list here or on the FAA's website.
  • All students must have either the original version OR a combination of the following documents listed by the TSA before starting the program. A list of approved documents can be found here. 
    • Training can't begin until this documentation is provided to Aims. If you are a non-U.S. Citizen and unable to obtain one of the documents approved by the TSA, please email aviation@aims.edu.

Step 5 - Complete the Aviation Application

  • Complete the Aims Aviation Application
  • Applications must be completed no later than: 
    • Fall Term: First Friday of April
    • Spring Term: First Friday of October
    • Summer Term: Aims Aviation does not accept new students for Summer Term

Step 6 - Advising Appointment

  • Schedule an advising appointment by contacting the Windsor Pathway Advising Team at (970) 339-6610, option 2.
  • **Admittance into the flight program is contingent on the ability to pass a required drug screening.
  • Per Federal Aviation Regulation 61.15, individuals who commit offenses involving drugs or alcohol may be subject to the following:

    (1) Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of final conviction; or 

    (2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.
     
  • Students in the flight program must comply with all Federal Regulations regarding offences involving alcohol or drugs. Please refer to FAR 61.15 for the most up-to-date information
Required General Education Courses: Credits

Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 3

Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4

Focuses on mechanics, heat, properties of matter, electricity and magnetism, and light. Incorporates laboratory experience. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4
Arts & Humanities Course Credits: 3 Behavioral & Social Sciences Course: Credits: 3 
Total General Education Credits 17
Required Aviation Courses: Credits

Prepares student for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single Engine, Land ~ FAA Knowledge Exam. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Private Pilot Airplane, Single-Engine, Land FAA Practical Test, and completing requirements for the Private Pilot Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Corequisites
AVT 1001
 4

Focuses on the history of the Air Traffic Control System, including its structure, function, and operation. Also includes radar operations and the future of the National Airspace System. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 3

Focuses on recognition, interpretation and evaluation of atmospheric weather as it relates to and affects aviation. Restricted to Air Traffic Control, General Aviation Pilot, Professional Pilot, or UAS Sciences majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 4

Focuses on preparation for the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better

 4

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Instrument Rating, Single Engine Airplane FAA Practical Test, and completing requirements for the Instrument Rating. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1001 and AVT 1002 with grades of "C" or better

 4

Develops the skills necessary to operate in IFR conditions, using a single-engine flight trainer. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1001 with a grade of "C" or better

 4

Prepares the student for the Commercial Pilot Airplane, Single Engine, Land FAA Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1002 and AVT 1011 with grades of "C" or better 

 2

This course is the first of a two-part sequence of flight training in preparation for the Commercial Pilot Certificate, Airplane, Single Engine Land FAA Practical Test. Consists of the cross country aeronautical experience required for the Commercial Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1012 with a grade of "C" or better

 3

Continuation of flight training in preparation for the Commercial Pilot, Airplane Single Engine, Land FAA Practical Test, completing requirements for the Commercial Pilot Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

 4

Focuses on classroom instruction covering human factors/crew resource management (CRM)/single pilot resource management (SRM). Specific topics include aeronautical decision making (ADM), situational awareness, crew coordination, communication, human error, fatigue, fitness, attitudes, training devices, controls, and workload management. Students will learn about and identify human performances that affect aviation in both crew and single pilot environments. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 1011 with a grade of "C" or better

 1

Prepares the student for the FAA Practical Test for Private or Commercial Pilot, Airplane Multi-Engine Land. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

 1

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Airplane, Multi-Engine Rating and completing requirements for this Rating. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2003 with a grade of "C" or better

 1

Develops the skills necessary to operate in a single-pilot flight environment in IFR conditions, using a multi-engine aircraft flight trainer. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

 2

Focuses on preparation for the FAA Fundamentals of Instructing Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

Course Corequisites
AVT 2012
 2

Focuses on preparation for the FAA Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Exam. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2002 with a grade of "C" or better

Course Corequisites
AVT 2011
 2

Focuses on flight training in preparation for the Flight Instructor Airplane, Single-Engine Land FAA Practical Test, completing requirements for the Flight Instructor Certificate. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2003, AVT 2011 and AVT 2012 with grades of "C" or better

 1

Focuses on basic transport-category aircraft systems. Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2001 with a grade of "C" or better

Course Corequisites
AVT 2033
 3

Develops the ground and flight procedural skills necessary to effectively operate in a flight-crew environment under normal and non-normal conditions utilizing simulation and Flight Management Systems (FMS). Differential tuition rates apply. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

AVT 2001 with a grade of "C" or better

Course Corequisites
AVT 2027
 4

Focuses on initial orientation to the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam), introduces the concept of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and provides insight into the management of aviation safety programs. Restricted to General Aviation Pilot or Professional Pilot majors only. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 2

Covers the regulations pertaining to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations including airspace, weather, and flight parameter limitations. This course covers UAS components and systems, maintenance, autonomy, ground stations, and telemetry in preparation for the UAS Operator written test. Differential tuition rates apply. Course is not repeatable for credit.

 3
Total Required Aviation Credits 58
Total Credits Required: Professional Pilot A.A.S Degree 75